2011 SKODA FABIA coolant level

Button for display mode:
–
Set hours/minutes
– Activating/deactivating the second speed in mph or km/h
– Service interval - Display of the remaining number of days, kilometres or
miles to the next Inspection Service/Reset 1)
Button for:
– Reset trip counter for distance driven
– Resetting Service Interval Display
– Set hours/minutes
– Activate/deactivate display mode
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 11 
Engine revolutions counter The red zone of the rev counter scale
1 ⇒ fig. 2
indicates the range in which the
engine control unit begins to limit the engine speed. The engine control unit re-
stricts the engine speed to a steady limit value.
Shift into the next higher gear or select the selector lever position D of the auto-
matic gearbox before reaching the red zone of the rev counter scale.
Avoid high engine speeds during the driving time and before the engine has been
warmed up to operating temperature ⇒ page 135.For the sake of the environment
Shifting to a higher gear in good time helps to reduce the fuel consumption, mini-
mises operating noise levels, protects the environment and contributes to a lon-
ger life and reliability of the engine. 
Speedometer Warning against excessive speeds
An acoustic warning signal will sound when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilo-
metres per hour. The acoustic warning signal will switch off again when the vehi-
cle speed goes below this speed limit.

5 6
7 Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge
4 ⇒ fig. 2
operates only when the ignition is
switched on.
Please pay attention to the following guidelines regarding temperature ranges in
order to avoid damage to the engine:
Cold range
If the pointer is in the left-hand area of the scale it means that the engine has not
yet reached its operating temperature. Avoid running at high engine speeds, at
full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The operating range
The engine has reached its operating temperature as soon as the pointer moves
into the mid-range of the scale. The pointer may also move further to the right at
high engine loads and high outside temperatures. This is not critical provided the
warning symbol  in the instrument cluster does not flash.
If the symbol  in the instrument cluster flashes it means that either the coolant
temperature
is too high or the coolant level is too low. Please refer to the follow-
ing guidelines ⇒ page 23, Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity  . WARNING
Pay attention to the warning notes ⇒ page 153, Working in the engine com-
partment before opening the bonnet and inspecting the coolant level. CAUTION
Additional headlights and other attached components in front of the fresh air inlet
impair the cooling efficiency of the coolant. There is then a risk of the engine
overheating at high outside temperatures and high engine loads! 
Fuel gauge The fuel gauge
7 ⇒
 fig. 2
only operates when the ignition is switched on. £1)
Valid for countries where the values are indicated in British measuring units. 11
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Warning lights
Overview The warning lights indicate certain functions or faults.
Fig. 8 Instrument cluster with warning lights
 Turn signal lights (to the left) ⇒ 
page 21  Turn signal lights (to the right) ⇒ 
page 21  Main beam ⇒ 
page 21  Low beam ⇒ 
page 21  Rear fog light ⇒ 
page 21  Failure of the light bulbs ⇒ 
page 22  Generator ⇒ 
page 22  Fog lights ⇒ 
page 22  Electrohydraulic power steering ⇒ 
page 22  EPC fault light (petrol engine) ⇒ 
page 22  Glow plug system (diesel engine) ⇒ 
page 22 
 Coolant temperature/coolant level ⇒ 
page 23  Fuel reserve ⇒ 
page 23 £20
Instruments and warning lights

If the
warning light  begins to flash while driving, a fault exists in the engine
control. The engine management system selects an emergency programme which
enables you to drive to the nearest specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of
driving. 
Coolant temperature/ Coolant quantity   The warning light
 lights up until the engine reaches operating temperature 1)
.
Avoid running at high engine speeds, at full throttle and at severe engine loads.
The warning light  comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level too low if the warning
light  lights up or flashes while driving.
An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.
In this case stop and switch the engine off and check the coolant level; top up
the coolant as necessary ⇒ page 158, Replenishing the coolant .
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the con-
ditions prevailing to top up with coolant. Keep the engine switched off
and obtain
professional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe
engine damage.
If the coolant is within the specified range, the increased temperature may be
caused by an operating problem at the coolant fan. Check the fuse of the coolant
fan, replace it if necessary ⇒ page 186, Fuse assignment at the battery (automatic
gearbox).
If the warning light  does not go out although the coolant is at the correct level
and also the fuse of the fan is in proper order, do not continue driving. Contact a
specialist garage to obtain assistance.
Please refer to the following guidelines ⇒ page 156, Cooling system.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Check coolant! Owner's manual! Car documentation! WARNING
If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe distance
from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning
light system ⇒ page 44, Switch for hazard warning lights 

. 
Fuel reserve  The warning light
 comes on, if the fuel level is less than 7 litres.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Please refuel! Range...km (Please refuel! (Range...km) 
Engine oil   The warning light
 lights up red (low oil pressure)
The warning light comes on for a few seconds 2)
when the ignition is switched on.
Stop the vehicle and switch the engine off if the warning light does not go off
after the engine has started or flashes while driving. Check the oil level and top up
with oil as necessary ⇒  page 155

.
3 peeps sound as an additional warning signal.
Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the con-
ditions prevailing to top up with oil. Keep the engine switched off and obtain pro-
fessional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage.
Do not drive any further if the warning light flashes even if the oil is at the correct
level. Do not run the engine not at idling speed either. Contact the nearest spe-
cialist garage to obtain professional assistance.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Oil Pressure Engine off! Owner's manual! . Switch off the engine! Car docu-
mentation! £1)
Not valid for vehicles with information display.
2) The warning light  on vehicles fitted with information display does not come on after switching
the ignition on, but only if a fault exists or the engine oil level is too low. 23
Instruments and warning lights Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

The warning light
 lights up yellow (oil quantity too low)
If the warning light lights up yellow, the quantity of oil in the engine is probably
too low. Check as soon as possible the oil level or top up ⇒ page 155 with engine
oil.
A peep sounds as an additional warning signal.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Check oil level! (Check oil level!)
The warning light will go out if the bonnet is left open for more than 30 seconds.
If no engine oil has been replenished, the warning light will come on again after
driving about 100 km.
The warning light  flashes yellow (engine oil level sensor faulty)
A fault on the engine oil level sensor is indicated additionally by an audible signal
and the warning light coming on several times after the ignition has been switch-
ed on.
In this case have the engine inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
The following text will be displayed in the information display:
Oil sensor workshop! (Oil sensor workshop!) WARNING
● If you must stop for technical reasons, then park the vehicle at a safe dis-
tance from the traffic and switch off the engine and switch on the hazard
warning light system ⇒ page 44.
● The red oil pressure light
 is not an oil level indicator! One should there-
fore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably after every refueling
stop.
● Pay attention to the following instructions ⇒ page 153, Working in the en-
gine compartment before checking the coolant fluid level and opening the
bonnet. 
Open door The warning light
 comes on if one or several doors are opened or if the boot lid
is opened. If one of the doors opens while driving, the warning light lights  up
and an audible signal sounds. The warning light comes on even when the ignition is switched off. The warning
light lights up for a maximum of 5 minutes.
In vehicles with an information display, this warning light is replaced by a vehicle
symbol⇒ page 18

Windshield washer fluid level  The warning light
 comes on when the ignition is switched on if there is insuffi-
cient fluid in the windshield washer system. Top up with liquid ⇒ page 163.
The following text will be displayed in the information display: Top up wash fluid! (Top up washer fluid) 
Control system for exhaust  The warning light
 comes on after the ignition has been switched on.
If the warning light does not go out after starting the engine or it lights up when
driving, a fault exists in an exhaust relevant component. The engine management
system selects an emergency programme which enables you to drive to the near-
est specialist garage by adopting a gentle style of driving. 
Anti-spin regulation (ASR)  The warning light
 lights up if the TCS system is switched off.
Further information about the TCS ⇒ page 129. 
Tyre pressure monitoring

 The warning light
 lights up, if there is a substantial drop in inflation pressure in
one of the tyres. Reduce the speed and check or correct as soon as possible the
inflation pressure in the tyres ⇒ page 164

.
An audible signal sounds as an additional warning signal.
If the warning light flashes , there is a system fault. Visit the nearest specialist
garage and have the fault rectified.
Further information about the tyre pressure monitoring system ⇒ page 133.£24
Instruments and warning lights

Driving Tips
–
Do not, as far as possible, drive with your vehicle unladen and the trailer laden.
– Do not make full use of the legal maximum speeds. This applies in particular to
downhill sections.
– Apply the brakes in good time.
– Keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if the outside temperature is
high.
Distribution of weight
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trailer
is laden. Maintain a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Driving speed
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h for safety reasons. This also applies for countries
in which higher speeds are allowed.
The fact that the driving stability of the vehicle + trailer combination reduces with
increasing speed means that the legally allowed speed should not be used when
there are unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions, particularly near acci-
dent black spots.
You must always reduce your speed immediately as soon as you detect even just
the slightest swaying
of the trailer. On no account attempt to stop the trailer
from “swaying” by accelerating.
Apply the brakes in good time! If the trailer is fitted with a trailer brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then brake firmly. This will avoid brake jolts resulting
from the trailer wheels locking. Shift down gears in good time before negotiating
a downhill section to allow the engine to also act as a brake.
Engine overheating
Please keep a check on the coolant temperature gauge if you have to negotiate a
lengthy slope in a low gear at a high engine speed when the outside temperature
is very high ⇒ page 11.
If the needle of the coolant temperature gauge moves into the right-hand area or
even the red area of the scale, reduce your speed immediately. Stop and switch
off the engine if the warning light  in the instrument cluster begins flashing.
Wait a few minutes and check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle
⇒  page 157, Inspecting the coolant level. Please refer to the following guidelines
⇒ page 23
, Coolant temperature/ Coolant
quantity  .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating.
Any increase in the cooling effect of the coolant fan through shifting down a gear
and increasing the engine speed is not possible since the fan speed is independ-
ent of the engine speed. One should also not drop a gear for this reason when
towing a trailer as long as the engine can manage the slope without any drop in
speed.  143
Towing a trailer Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Engine coolant expansion reservoir
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and die-
sel engines is practically identical. 
Engine oil Check engine oil level The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Fig. 129 Dipstick
Checking the oil level
– Ensure that the vehicle is positioned on a level surface and the engine has
reached its operating temperature ⇒  .
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒  in Working in the engine compartment on page 154.
– Wait a few minutes until the engine oil flows back into the oil sump. Take out
the dipstick.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick again and read off the oil level.
1 2
3
4
5
6 Oil level within range
a –
You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range b –
You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within
range a after doing this.
Oil level within range c –
You must top up the oil ⇒ page 156. It is sufficient, once this is done, to keep
the oil level is within range b .
It is normal for the engine to consume oil. The oil consumption may be as much as
0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which
you operate your vehicle. The oil consumption may be slightly higher than this
during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time
after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range a if the engine has
been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway trip during
the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not
above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster will indicate whether the oil level is
too low ⇒ page 23, Engine oil  . In this case, check the oil level as soon as
possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil. CAUTION
● Always check the oil level on vehicles with engine 1.2 l/44 kW when the engine
is cold. Otherwise the measuring result is incorrect und oil could be incorrectly re-
plenished - risk of engine damage!
● The oil level must on no account extend beyond the range A . Danger of dam-
aging the catalytic converter.
● Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the
conditions prevailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain profes-
sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe en-
gine damage. Note
Engine oil specifications ⇒  page 195.  155
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data

Replenishing engine oil
–
Inspecting the engine oil level ⇒ page 155.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒ 
page 195.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒ 
page 155.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick in fully. WARNING
● Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a
risk of fire!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ 
page 153, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range a ⇒ page 155. Oil will other-
wise be drawn in through the crankcase ventilation and may pass through the ex-
haust system to atmosphere. The oil may combust in the catalytic converter and
damage it. 
Changing engine oil The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or
according to the service interval indicator
⇒ page 12.WARNING
● Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required professional
knowledge!
● Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ 
page 153, Working in the engine
compartment before working in the engine compartment.
● First of all, let the engine cool down, wear an eye protection and gloves -
risk of caustic burns due to hot oil. CAUTION
You must not pour any additives into the engine oil - risk of engine damage! Dam-
age, which results from such product, are excluded from the warranty. For the sake of the environment
● You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
● In view of the problems involved in properly disposing of old oil, the necessary
special tools and the knowledge required for such work, we recommend that you
have the oil and oil filter change carried out by an authorised ŠKODA Service Part-
ner. Note
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash your
skin. 
Cooling system
Coolant The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require any maintenance under normal operating
conditions. The coolant consists of water with a concentration of coolant additive
of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but
also protects the cooling and heating system from corrosion. It also prevents the
formation of scale and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentration of antifreeze agent in the cool- ant by adding water, also not during the summer months or in countries with a
warm climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must be at
least 40 %.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if a higher concentration
of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up to 60% (antifreeze pro- tection down to approx. -40°C). The antifreeze protection tails off above that con-
centration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a cold climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland)
are already factory-filled with a coolant which offers antifreeze protection down
to about -35°C. In these countries the concentration of coolant additive should be
at least 50 %.
Coolant
The cooling system is factory-filled with coolant (purple in colour), which complies
with the specification TL-VW 774

G. £156
Inspecting and Replenishing

When refilling, we only recommend you use the same antifreeze described on the
antifreeze expansion tank.
Please contact an authorised
ŠKODA
Service Partner if you have any questions re-
garding the coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.
An authorised ŠKODA Service Partner can also supply you with the correct coolant
additives.
Coolant capacity Petrol engines Capacities (in liter)
1.2 ltr./44 kW - EU5 5,5
1.2 l/51 kW - EU5 / EU2 DDK 5,5
1.2 ltr./63 kW TSI - EU5 7,7
1.2 ltr./77 kW TSI - EU5 7,7
1.4 ltr./63 kW - EU5 5,5
1.4 ltr./132 kW TSI - EU5 6,6
1.6 ltr./77 kW - EU4/EU2 DDK 5,5
Diesel engines Capacities (in liter)
1.2 ltr./55 kW TDI CR DPF - EU5 6,6
1.6 ltr./55 kW TDI CR DPF - EU5 8,4
1.6 ltr./66 kW TDI CR DPF - EU5 8,4
1.6 ltr./77 kW TDI CR DPF - EU5 8,4
CAUTION
● Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in particular,
involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect.
● Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant
and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine damage. Inspecting the coolant level Fig. 130 Engine compartment: Coolant
expansion bottle
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒  in Working in the engine compartment on page 154.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒ fig. 130. The cool-
ant level when the engine is cold must lie between the “MIN” B and “MAX”
A markings. The level may also rise slightly above the “MAX” marking when the
engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster 
⇒ page 23. We still recommend inspecting the coolant
level directly at the reservoir from time to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. You
should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have
the cooling system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Losses can only occur through the pressure relief in the cap of the coolant expan-
sion bottle which is completely free of leaks if the coolant boils as a result of over-
heating and is forced out of the cooling system. WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒ page 153,
Working in the engine com-
partment before working in the engine compartment. £ 157
Inspecting and Replenishing Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance Breakdown assistance Technical data